Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. Cairns is a cosmopolitan city with a population of approx. 140,000 that is very focused on the tourist industry; particularly popular with international tourists. Japanese tourists are especially catered for, with many shops' signs being written in Japanese, as well as English. The city is surrounded by rainforest and can be used as a gateway to destinations such as Kuranda and the Daintree. Besides tourism, the city is supported by agricultural activities which include sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea and the world's first tropical fruit wine region.

There is a lot of accommodation to suit all budgets with plenty of drinking establishments and restaurants catering to all types of tastes. The atmosphere is laid back and unpretentious, while prices are relatively inexpensive. There are a plethora of clubs and coffee shops in the city, all overflowing with international tourists which helps to give Cairns its cosmopolitan feel.

Cairns esplanade and The Pier market place are centrally located in the CBD. The retail district has something to offer visitors from anywhere in the world. There are plenty of cafés and shopping plazas and an expanding multicultural art scene. The city has a vibrant night life with restaurants offering fine dining with international cuisine from cultures all over the world. Staying at a 5 star hotel the city centre is a popular option for upscale tourists - though many upmarket tourists will go to Port Douglas instead. Cairns is a noted backpacker's hub, though, with plentiful and popular low-priced dorm-style accommodation.

There is no swimming beach to speak of in central Cairns (you will only find a mud flat if you head to the ocean), although there are many choices just north and south of the city. A large outdoor, lagoon-style pool is in the centre of the Cairns City area, which is very popular throughout the year with tourists and locals alike. If you are aiming to have a beach side resort holiday, there are several resorts a short drive north of Cairns.

Sightseeing charter tours can be booked from most major resorts, or (avoiding the travel agents) from the charter companies themselves. Cairns, as the largest city in the region, is a popular jumping-off point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park, as well as the Atherton Tablelands and the Queensland Outback.

Season: Peak tourist season is from around May to November and accommodation prices rise during this period. The wet season in Tropical North Queensland starts from December and the weather is wet and humid with high rainfall, in which Cape Tribulation and the Daintree are susceptible to flooding. Parts of the Daintree National Park are only accessible by 4WD during this time, but 4WD buses will take you there nonetheless.

Cairns International Airport (IATA: CNS) is the primary international gateway into the region and is also served by many domestic flights. Cairns airport has two terminals, a domestic terminal and an international terminal, both within walking distance from each other.

Shuttle bus transfers are available from the Cairns Airport, prices range between $15.00 to $17.00 (one passenger one way) and $25.00 to $35.00 (one passenger return) to Cairns city. The Cairns Airport shuttle buses typically depart the airport hourly. Cairns taxi' depart from the Cairns Airport and the trip will range between $25.00 to $35.00 to Cairns City. If you don't book a shuttle transfer before arriving in Cairns there is only one company you can travel with. Google the different shuttle bus companies as to get the cheaper price you have to book prior to arriving in Cairns. The shuttle buses offering transfers from Cairns Airport are:-

You can also walk to the city centre, about 7km or 1.5 hour. The first 2km are along the airport access road, you need to walk on the bike lane. The airport access road is not designed for walking, during the day it will be hot walk (not the best way to start your holiday) and not really safe as the airport access road is a busy road. Then turn left, about 1km through a suburb and along a park. Then you can start following a beautiful stretch along the beach to the Esplanade.

Cairns Railway Station is connected to the Cairns Central shopping centre, within walking distance of the waterfront and most hotels. You can take a taxi to your hotel and if you book prior to arriving at the Cairns Railway station a shuttle bus can pick you up an take you to your hotel.

Queensland Railways'Tilt train and The Sunlander services connect Cairns to Brisbane (via Townsville and Rockhampton), taking 32h for the full journey. Even though the Tilt Train reaches speeds of 160km/h between Townsville and Brisbane, the diesel Tilt Train running between Brisbane and Cairns runs at a maximum of 80km/h between Townsville and Cairns due to the poor alignment of the line. Although a trip between Townsville and Cairns takes 4 hours by car, it can take over 7h by train.
The Tilt Train departs Cairns for Brisbane at 9:15AM on Wednesdays and Sundays, arriving at Townsville at 3:15PM and Brisbane at 9:10AM the next day.
The Sunlander departs Cairns for Brisbane at 9:15AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving at Townsville at 4:10PM and Brisbane at 3:55PM the next day.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway [77], also operated by Queensland Rail [78], runs from Cairns to Kuranda, stopping over the majestic Barron Gorge to allow passengers to leave the train and enjoy the beautiful view over the water.
Trains depart Cairns at 8:30AM and 9:30AM daily arriving at Kuranda at 10:15AM and 11:15AM.

The Savannahlander also travels from Cairns to Kuranda but then continues on to the outback town of Forsayth. It leaves Cairns at 06:30 every Wednesday with a compulsory overnight stop at Almaden (with transfers available to Chillagoe), before arriving at Forsayth Station at 17:45 on Thursday. The Savannahlander does not run between December and March.

The 1,700km Bruce Highway running south along the coast connects Cairns to the state capital of Brisbane. It takes 22h to drive without stopping, and you should allow at least 2-3 days of solid driving, or longer for a more relaxed pace of drive up the coast. There are regular towns along the coast which make good stopping off and sightseeing points.

Frequent Sunbus buses depart from the city centre to the suburbs and Northern Beaches. You can buy a 'daily' bus ticket that lasts until the last service that night. The last services heading back into the city are generally around 10pm - 11pm, while the last services out of the city are between 11pm and midnight.

Centenary Lakes, Collins Ave/Edge Hill, opposite the Botanic Gardens. Rainforest boardwalk that goes directly through the forest and ends at several small lakes and creeks. There is also a little park with picnic areas. Caution: The lakes are crocodile habitat.

Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, Collins Ave, north of city centre. Rainforest area with several marked walking tracks, views of the city.

Northern Beaches There is no beach in Central Cairns, but there are several beaches in the north that can easily be reached by bus. Although swimming is not always recommended, they are all beautiful and tropical, and ideal places to relax and walk. These beaches include Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach and Clifton Beach.

Smithfield Conservation Park, McGregor Road, close to James Cook University, north of the city centre. A large area of rainforest with several walking tracks. Rather off the beaten path and mostly visited by locals.

Many natural Cairns attractions include the Great Barrier Reef, Copperlode Dam, Atherton Tablelands and Daintree Rainforest

Cairns is a hotspot for wildlife diversity in Australia and is an ideal place to see a huge variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Places such as Mount Lewis, Lamb Range, or Mount Hypipamee are ideal locations to see anything from a Cassowary to Tree Kangaroos.

Australian Armour & Artillery Museum, 2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield ☎ +61 7 4038 1665 The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum is a museum dedicated to tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery from the Second World War and post war periods. $25, Everyday 9:30am–4:30pm.

Cairns is an adventure sports enthusiast's paradise: every second shop is a tourist information centre with signs blaring "dive dive" or "tandem skydiving". Its location close to the ocean, the mountains and the rainforest gives travellers lots of choices of activities.

Standby rates are ubiquitous: many of the more expensive activities, including scuba diving and skydiving, are up to $150 cheaper if you are prepared to go on standby for a cancellation.

If you book trips through hostel, you might get 1 night free stay with them e.g. Asylum Cairns has tie up with Cairns Dive Center.

Swim in the artificial "lagoon" (a public swimming pool with some sand on one side) on the promenade near the pier. The lagoon is unfenced and free to use. A shallow depth(max depth 1.5 m) makes it ideal for families with children. The lagoon is a good place to cool off especially during "stinger season" between October and May (cf. Dangerous creatures in Australia) when local beaches should be avoided. Note that there are also no beaches in Cairns itself - one can catch a bus to the northern beaches, but the sand there is rather rough, and during stinger season the area protected by netting at the northern beaches is no bigger than the lagoon.

Sun-bake or people watch on the grassy part of the promenade near the lagoon. On a sunny day, even in the middle of Cairns's tropical "winter", there will sometimes be more sun-bakers than there is visible grass.

Have a barbecue on the promenade. Cairns has free barbecues scattered generously among the picnic tables on the grass.

Go walking - Cairns is surrounded by rainforest clad mountains, and there are nearly 200 walking tracks in this World Heritage Area. Keen walkers should keep an eye out for Tropical Walking Tracks, found at local bookshops and adventure shops. It lists all of the tracks around Cairns as well as those between Townsville and Cooktown and has maps of them and 'how-to-get-there' directions as well.

Lagoon in Cairns, Australia

Cairns Wildlife Dome, 35-41 Wharf St, ☎+61 7 4031 7250 ([email protected]), [1]. An all-weather wildlife exhibit enclosed by a 20 m high glass dome on top of The Reef Hotel Casino, visitors walk through a replicated rainforest environment whilst birds such as parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets fly freely around you. See other animals such as koalas, frogmouths, kookaburras, rainforest wallabies, crocodiles, turtles and pythons. Complimentary guided tours and animal presentations take place throughout the day.edit

Cairns Mountain Bike Tours, Shop 13, Campus Shopping Village, Smithfield , 4878, ☎+61 7 40574142, [3]. 8am till 5pm. Guided Cross Country, All Mountain and Downhill tours. Mountain Bike hire. Bike sales, service and parts. Awesome coffee and snacks and a great place for riders to hang out before and after a ride. The only Downhill tour operator in a Queensland National Park.Gentle XC from $88. edit

Bungy Jumping. Cairns is Australia's capital of Bungy Jumping. Jump from a 50 metre high tower in the canopies of the Cairns rainforest and dip your head into the cold stream at the bottom.edit

Tropic Wings Coach Tours, PO 1230 Cairns, ☎+61 7 4041 9400 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4041 9499), [5]. One of the largest and longest established coach touring companies in Cairns, operating since 1981. Operate full and half day tours to Kuranda including Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Rainforestation Nature Park and Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree, Port Douglas, Atherton Tablelands and the 'Outback'. Extended tours available to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree.edit

Food Trail Tours, PO 112 Cairns, ☎+61 7 4041 1522 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4032 0422), [6]. This is the original, tastiest and most comprehensive food and wine tour to the Atherton Tablelands. Travel off the beaten track, savour exotic tastes, visit plantations, and hear about the food's journey from ground - to table. It's a relaxing day with plenty of time to savour local produce including locally grown and processed coffee, exotic fruit wine, cheese, chocolate, macadamias, local seafood and Tropical North Queensland hospitality. The day travels from Cairns across the Atherton Tableland's dry plains, rolling hills, and into it's World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest. edit

Cairns Discovery Tour, [8]. Includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre and botanical gardens.edit

Jungle Tours, PO Box 2945, ☎+61 7 4041 9440 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4041 9499), [9]. Day and extended tours to the World Heritage areas of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree - where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the Great Barrier Reef. Small groups travel with their informative guides on air-conditioned buses. Tours can include Port Douglas, The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, cruising on the Daintree River searching for crocodiles and wildlife, swimming in the Mossman Gorge and exploring Cape Tribulation Beach. On extended tours, various levels of accommodation are offered, from backpacker dorms to deluxe resorts, with plenty of options to party and play. Activities vary from reef trips with Rum Runner, to horseriding, jungle surfing, and sea kayaking.edit

NatureTour Australia, [10]. Specializes in trips to local wildlife hotspots.edit

A number of Cairns operators run day and liveaboard scuba diving trips from Cairns. For seeing the Great Barrier Reef, the smaller dive boats provide the best experience, both for diving and for snorkelling. The larger operations have more amenities - better food, larger and faster boats, more activities, but sometimes provide a poorer underwater experience, as the underwater areas that the larger boats visit are heavily overused, and somewhat barren of coral and fish. Your mileage may vary.

JustSnorkel - Great Barrier Reef Tours, 154 Greenslopes St, ☎+61-4-5504-8957 ([email protected]), [14]. Dive trips and sites focused on the best snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.Day Trips out of Cairns starting at $99 AUD. edit

Passions of Paradise, ☎+61 7 4041-1600 ([email protected]), [15]. A 25 m modern, fast sailing catamaran travelling daily to Michaelmas Cay, where the company holds a permit allowing passengers access to the beach. This is one of the most important bird nesting sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef with over 20,000 sea birds. The cay has white sand, warm shallow water and an abundance of marine life making it perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, glass bottom boat tours or just relaxing on the beach. The second destination is the Outer Barrier Reef and a mooring at Breaking Patches. There you will find the hard coral gardens that the Outer Reef is famous for. The day includes a hot and cold buffet lunch, all snorkelling equipment and sailing on one of the fastest catamarans travelling to the Great Barrier Reef.edit

Pro Dive Cairns, 116 Spence Street, ☎+61 7 4031-5255 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4051-9955), [17]. Specialises in 11 dive/3 day 2 night liveaboard trips to the Outer Reef, departing every day except Tuesdays. Their dive sites are suitable for inexperienced divers: most trips will include one or more groups of students doing their checkout dives. The liveaboard trip is $580 for a twin share or double cabin (including all equipment). Pro Dive Cairns also offer several PADI courses which include the liveaboard trip: the basic Open Water course (2 days of classroom and pool work plus the trip), Open Water referral checkout dives, Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver. The trip is $580 per person, twin share or double and equipment included. Additional fee applies of $35 per person, includes a $15 Government Environmental Management Charge as well as a Port Departure tax and administration costs.The trip is $560 per person, twin share or double, reef tax and equipment included. Open Water course $725, Open Water referral $630. edit

Cairns Tour Advice & Booking Center, 103 The Esplanade, ☎+61 7 4041-1635 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4041-1638), [18]. A small local travel agency based on the Cairns Esplanade for over 13 Years. Booking all Cairns Snorkel & Dive Trips to The Great Barrier Reef. Professional service for the independent traveler wanting to Snorkel or Dive in Cairns or Port Douglas.Day reef trips from $86 up to $225. edit

New Horizon Sail and Dive, PO Box 5957, ☎+61 7 4055-6130 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4055-6315), [19]. New Horizon Sail and Dive operates two classic sailing boats, Santa Maria and Coral Sea Dreaming, to the outer Great Barrier Reef. They allow you to experience the reef in a smaller more intimate affair with a maximum of 10 passengers on each trip. The trip is from $380 per person for a two day liveaboard and from $540 for a three day liveaboard, all equipment included.. edit

Skydive Cairns, ☎00 330 044 (free call in Australia) or +61 7 4031-5466 ([email protected]), [22]. Tandem, single jumps, and AFF courses. One of the most beautiful plane rides up to 13,000 feet overlooking the reef just long enough before you lose your lunch on the way down.edit

Hang gliders fly off Rex Point Lookout, halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas on the Captain Cook highway. On weekends, it's common to see multiple gliders soaring the sky above the scenic lookout, and the winter season provides consistent flight conditions.

Airplay Hang Gliding, ☎+61 412 000797 ([email protected]), [24]. Airplay offers tandem hang gliding flights of durations up to 1 hr and a free outbound shuttle service. Lessons and full instruction are also available to those wishing to learn to fly.edit

The Cairns region has some of the best weather for ballooning in the World and so trips go year round and are rarely cancelled. The trips go inland to the Atherton Tablelands and take off at first light at Mareeba, finishing around 10AM and can connect directly to a Great Barrier Reef tour or drop you in Kuranda.

Rafting in North Queensland has the advantage of departures all year round, tropical water temperatures and ease of access to compliment breath-taking scenery and rapids. The region's white water rafting adventures are suitable for all levels of fitness and enthusiasm. Ride through our planet's oldest continuously growing tropical rainforests on rivers that still run totally wild.

RnR White Water Rafting, PO Box 2945, ☎+61 7 4041 9444 ([email protected], fax: +61 7 4041 9499), [27]. Operating since 1984. The Tully River is Australia's best and most famous 1-day white water rafting experience, with up to 5 hr of rafting over more than 45 grade 4 rapids through World Heritage Rainforest. The Barron River option is a great half-day tour, with up to 2 hr of rafting on grade 3 rapids. For something longer, the North Johnstone 4 day expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Helicopter in, 4 days of grade 5 rapids and camping 3 nights under the stars in riverside rainforest clearings.edit

Night Markets, 71-75 The Esplanade. ☎ +61 7 4051-7666. The night markets operate every night of the week till late. They are a collection of stalls catering mainly to tourists: you can buy lots of clothes, games and Australiana.

Pearls. Of course, you can buy pearls everywhere and the price range is huge. In Cairns you can find shops where you can buy real A-grade pearls from the Torres Strait - not cheap, but at the end more than fair in comparison to the European or US prices for the same quality level.

Cairns Central, Cnr MacLeod & Spence St ☎ +61 7 4041 4111. Large shopping centre with more than 180 shops, restaurants and takeaways located in the city centre.

Smithfield Shopping Centre, Cnr Captain Cook & Kennedy Hwy ☎ +61 7 4038 1006. A shopping centre with two supermarkets, clothing and book shops as well as takeaways. Located on Captain Cook Highway and therefore a good place to stock up on the way north.

Exchange Bookshop 78 Grafton St. All kinds of second hand books in good condition, especially a good section of classic literature and also a selection of recent books by Australian writers and guide books.

As with much of Cairns, you can divide the city into the Esplanade and the places within a block of it, and the rest of the city. The Esplanade is littered with bar and grill places supplying red meat and beer all in the one place, and with seafood restaurants. It's relatively difficult to find anything open before 11AM, since they expect the clientele to be sleeping in. The rest of the city has small cafes and milkbars catering to locals and budget travelers. The number of Japanese tourists here makes Japanese food a fairly reliable option, although prices can be steep.

A number of the more expensive restaurants on the Esplanade, particularly towards the north end, offer discounts of 20-30% for early birds: usually you will need to order by 6:30PM and pay and leave no later than 7:30PM to get a discounted meal.

La Pizza Trattoria, 93 The Esplanade. ☎ +61 7 4031-2646. La Pizza Trattoria has good pizza. It lures most patrons in by letting them wander past the pizza chef kneading the dough as they smell the baking pizzas. Medium sized pizzas $17. Open 7 Days 7AM until late.

Hide's Coffee Cafe, Shop 7, 87 Lake Street. ☎ +61 7 4041-1899. Hides Coffee Cafe, a couple of streets back from the Esplanade, is a good place for an under $10 breakfast or lunch. Order at the counter and remember to keep an eye on the collapsing umbrellas at the outside tables. They have free wifi for guests.

Sushi Express, Shop 28 Orchid Plaza, 79 Abbott Street. ☎ +61 7 4041-4388. (fax:+61 7 4052-1277). A sushi train made up to look like the Kuranda Railway, this place is popular but not wildly busy. The tempura seems to get more attention than the sushi or sashimi. Plates from $2.50-$4.50.

Perrotta's At The Gallery, 38 Abbott Street. ☎ +61 7 4031-5899. If you want to escape from several evenings touring the bar and grill places, Perotta's is just off the Esplanade and does more sophisticated Western food. Try the French toast with roast pear for breakfast. Breakfast, lunch and dinner approximately $20.

Donnini's Ciao Italia, at the Pier Marketplace, features indoor and outdoor dining with an ocean backdrop. Located at The Esplanade, and is within walking distance of many of Cairns' hotels. Meals from around $20-$25.

Cairns Esplanade Markets (Cairns one day), The Esplanade @ The Lagoon (Go to the Lagoon on the Esplanade), ☎+61 7 4044 3044, [28]. Saturday 8-4PM. Esplanade Markets have home made products, rare stones, clothes, all types of art, massage, local music, local rainforest timbers/carvings/wooden copping boards and you will be buying from the maker/artist of the products. Heaps of budget priced stuff, but some very refined high art/design/ideas that could easily become a feature piece of a house/garden. Great place to find a special gift. And best of all it has a 'locals feel' about it. Make sure go take a hat and sunscreen-It's an outdoor market, Have fun and meet some true locals—Run by the Cairns City Councilfrom $0.50. edit

Mövenpick of Switzerland, 95-105 The Esplanade. ☎ +61 7 4041-3555. Interior is based on white and there is the ocean in front of this shop. It has about 18 kinds of ice creams, waffles and many kinds of drinks. Daily 11:00- 23:00.

Cairns has pubs and bars to cater to travelers, students, and locals. The nightlife is vibrant.

Rattle 'N Hum, 67 The Esplanade. ☎ +61 7 4031-3011. The Rattle 'n Hum is a bar and grill in the midst of one of the busiest parts of The Esplanade. It's quite large and getting a seat is seldom a problem: sit out back once they light torches in the evenings. Competition for the pool table is not formidable so you should be able to get several games in. They do a number of main meals, including wood-fired pizza for around $20. The staff are highly variable in quality, ordering a cocktail can be risky, but they're certainly able to pull a beer.

Cairns is the backpacker capital of Northern Queensland and there are over 20 hostels, all offering basic bunks in the $14-18 range.

Asylum Cairns, 149 Grafton St, ☎+61 7 4031-1474 (toll free: within Australia 1800 065-464, [email protected], fax: +61 7 4031-8499), [29]. Bed in small dorm (no bunk beds). Prices on website may be out of date. Free transfers to and from airport, bus or train station if staying 2 nights or more. Free internet. Not particularly clean or well maintained. Very friendly and helpful staff. Not in city centre, but within easy walking distance.edit

Cairns City Backpackers, 274 Draper St, ☎+61 7 4051-6160 ([email protected]), [34]. Small, quiet and friendly and located in a quiet backstreet and a 5 min walk to Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Full laundry and kitchen facilities and and internet at $3 per hr.edit

Caravella Backpackers, 149 Esplanade (Near city centre), ☎+61 7 40512431 ([email protected]), [36]. Fairly large backpackers with a motel building next door. Choice location along the waterfront; 10 minutes' walk from downtown. Rooms are plain and small but have a fridge, which is nice in the tropics. The common area has a free pool table, wifi, and two shared kitchen facilities. Laundry possibility. Lot´s of backpackers. You get a free voucher everyday for P.J O´Briens where you can get a good choice of meals for a 6,5$ including a small drink. edit

JJs Backpackers, 11-13 Charles Street, (Left from the end of the Esplanade), [42]. Small, cozy hostel, no huge bathrooms but small rooms shared by two rooms each, tour desk, free breakfast, dinner vouchers for The Woolshed. About 20min walk from the Lagoon.edit

Rydges Tradewinds Cairns, 137 The Esplanade, (toll free: 1300 857-922), [63]. Overlooking the Coral Sea, just a few min walk along the Esplanade Boardwalk to the Cairns lagoon precinct, city centre, restaurants, shopping and departure points for the Great Barrier Reef.edit

Tropical Holiday Home (With views of rainforest and city), [64]. checkin: 2:00 pm; checkout: 10:00. This architect designed 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom rainforest home is located in a quiet leafy close, in beautiful Edge Hill. This house embodies the concept of the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that tropical locations are so suited to. You can watch scrub turkeys & guinea fowls parade through the yard and enjoy views of both the rainforest as well as city sights. It is just a 5 min walk away from Cairns Botanical Gardens. Ideal for groups. 233 USD. edit

The Pullman Reef Hotel, 35-41 Wharf St, ☎+61 7 4030-8888 (fax: 61 7 4030-8777), [75]. Among the best hotels in the city, located in the same building as The Reef Hotel Casino and with stunning views over Trinity Bay.edit

South Side Inn, (3 km from the the City Centre and 6 km from the airport), [76]. 4 star.edit

The market town of Kuranda is interesting for a few hours. You can drive, catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns or Freshwater stations, or take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway [84].

Continuing past Kuranda, you can drive up the mountains (stopping at various roadside lookouts) to the Atherton Tablelands, i.e. Australian farm country. Stop at any tourist center to pick up pamphlets for wineries, distilleries, dairies, farms, chocolate factories, and all manner of agro-touristic offerings. Keep in mind that most will close around 3 to 4 pm, so get an early start! Other points of interest include the massive termite mounds by the side of the road, as well as the famous Curtain Fig Tree. If you're day tripping, make sure you head back before dark-- those windy mountain roads are no joke!

Lake Tinaroo is also located on the Atherton Tablelands. Lake Tinaroo is great for swimming, water sports, bush walking, fishing and camping.

Mareeba, the edge of the outback, where the sun shines 300 days a year, and they produce 80% of Australia's coffee crop. With a tour to the area you don't need a car.

Mossman Gorge 70 min north of Cairns is a good place to cool off. Avoid arriving at the same time as the tour coaches, and take great care swimming as the currents are very strong.

The Daintree, officially the world's oldest rainforest, is located an hour and a half north.

The Savannahlander [85] is a four day train journey that departs from Cairns to the outback town of Forsayth. It's a unique way to see the Chillagoe caves and Undara lava tubes.

Cooktown is around 3 hours north along the coast from Cairns, and has history, national parks and beaches to explore.

Mission Beach a lovely tropical beach is about an hour and a half drive south. It is the gateway to Dunk and Bedarra Islands. Mission Beach is one of the few places you might see the very rare and endangered Cassowary bird.

Port Douglas[86] a seaside resort town is an hour north along one of the nicest drives in Australia. Port Douglas is another gateway along with Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.